Guangzhou Uprising Martyrs' Cemetery

Guangzhou Uprising Martyrs' Cemetery

Guangzhou Uprising Martyrs' Cemetery is a national AAAA-level tourist attraction, a Guangdong Provincial Cultural Relics Protection Unit, a classic red tourism site, and a patriotic education base.

Guangzhou Uprising Martyrs' Cemetery, located at No. 92 Zhongshan 2nd Road in Guangzhou, covers an area of 180,000 square meters. It is a commemorative park built in 1954 to honor the martyrs who sacrificed their lives during the Guangzhou Uprising led by the Chinese Communist Party on December 11, 1927. The main features include the main gate, square, memorial avenue, the Guangzhou Uprising Monument, and a circular burial mound. There are currently 16 scenic spots and recreational areas in the park, combining commemoration, sightseeing, and science education. The sides of the memorial path are lined with 20 large flower stands, featuring flowers in all seasons; the tomb is covered with lush green grass, surrounded by evergreen pines and cypresses. The eastern part of the cemetery houses the China-Korea People's Friendship Pavilion and the China-Soviet People's Friendship Pavilion. In the artificial lake within the park, there is also a central memorial pavilion inscribed with the words "Blood Sacrifice to Xuanyuan," written by Dong Biwu. It has been listed as a National Key Martyrs' Memorial Building Protection Unit and a Guangdong Provincial Key Cultural Relics Protection Unit, and is one of the first patriotic education bases in Guangzhou.

Chinese Name: Guangzhou Uprising Martyrs' Cemetery Established: 1954 Nature: Commemorates the martyrs of the December 1927 Guangzhou Uprising Park Type: Cemetery Inscription: Features calligraphy by Zhou Enlai Ranking: One of Guangzhou’s “Top Ten Tourist Attractions” Purpose: National Patriotic Education Base Contents: 1. Cemetery Location 2. Basic Information 3. Historical Events 4. Historical Significance 5. Poetic Tributes 6. Cemetery Structure 7. Architectural Features 8. Public Transport Routes 1. Cemetery Location: Guangzhou Uprising Martyrs' Cemetery covers an area of 180,000 square meters. On December 11, 1927, the Chinese Communist Party launched the Guangzhou Uprising in Guangzhou, which ultimately failed, resulting in the deaths of over 5,700 martyrs, all buried here. To commemorate these revolutionary heroes, in 1957, the Guangzhou Municipal People's Government constructed this large-scale cemetery. The inscription on the stone gate wall, “Guangzhou Uprising Martyrs' Cemetery,” was personally written by Premier Zhou Enlai, exuding grandeur.

Guangzhou Uprising Martyrs' Cemetery was designated as a Provincial Key Cultural Relics Protection Unit by the Guangdong Provincial People's Congress Standing Committee in July 1962; in October 1986, it was approved by the State Council as a National Key Martyrs' Memorial Building Protection Unit; in 1996, it was listed as a National Patriotic Education Base, and in 1997, it became a National Model Patriotic Education Base for Primary and Secondary School Students. It is also one of the hundred classic red tourism sites in China, a Provincial Key Cultural Relics Protection Unit, and was once rated as one of Guangzhou’s “Top Ten Tourist Attractions” by the Municipal Party Committee, Municipal Government, and the Municipal Spiritual Civilization Office.

On December 11, 1927, the Guangzhou Uprising, led by Zhang Tailei, Secretary of the Guangdong Provincial Committee of the Chinese Communist Party, failed after three days of brave fighting. The enemy killed over 5,700 uprising soldiers and civilians in Guangzhou, with some martyrs' remains buried together in Honghua Hill. The Guangzhou Uprising, along with the Nanchang Uprising and the Autumn Harvest Uprising, marked the great beginning of the Chinese Communist Party independently leading revolutionary wars and creating the people's army, writing a glorious chapter in the history of the Chinese revolution.

To resist the brutal suppression and attacks by the Kuomintang reactionaries, in the early hours of December 11, 1927, under the leadership of Zhang Tailei, then Secretary of the Guangdong Provincial Committee of the Chinese Communist Party, along with Ye Ting, Ye Jianying, Su Zhaozheng, Nie Rongzhen, and Xu Xiangqian, the Guangzhou Uprising was launched. More than 150 Koreans, including Cui Yongjian, and personnel from the Soviet Consulate in Guangzhou also participated. Due to the enemy's superior strength, the uprising ultimately failed. Over the course of six days from December 14 to 19, more than 5,700 Communists and revolutionary civilians were brutally killed. After the founding of the People’s Republic of China, the Guangzhou Municipal Government built this cemetery with distinct national characteristics on Honghua Hill, where the martyrs had fallen. It officially opened to the public in 1957. The total area of the cemetery is 180,000 square meters, divided into a memorial area and a park area. The memorial area includes the main gate building, memorial avenue, Guangzhou Uprising Monument, Guangzhou Commune Martyrs' Tomb, and the Tomb of Marshal Ye Jianying. The main gate is built on a white granite base, with white marble adorned by orange-red glazed tile roofs. The stone walls of the twin archways are inscribed with eight large characters, “Guangzhou Uprising Martyrs' Cemetery,” handwritten by Zhou Enlai. The wide and straight memorial avenue is flanked by lush pines and cypresses, with 20 flower stands in between.

The stone gate with yellow glazed tile roofs features five rows of vermilion iron gates, exuding solemnity. The stone wall on the front of the south gate is inscribed with the gilded name of the park, handwritten by Zhou Enlai. The spacious main memorial avenue is paved with granite blocks, with flower beds planted with red flowers on both sides, and the slopes on either side are covered with lush pines and cypresses, ensuring red flowers throughout the year and evergreen foliage in all seasons.

The cemetery consists of two parts: the memorial area and the park area. The main structures include the main gate, square, memorial avenue, Guangzhou Uprising Monument, and the domed tomb. Beside the tombs are lush pines and cypresses, with red flowers in bloom. There are also the tombs of the four martyrs of Honghua Hill from the Xinhai Revolution and the tomb of Marshal Ye Jianying. In the eastern part of the cemetery, the China-Korea People's Friendship Pavilion, China-Soviet People's Friendship Pavilion, and the Blood Sacrifice to Xuanyuan Pavilion are built, featuring inscriptions by Zhu De, Dong Biwu, and Ye Jianying. To the southwest is the Guangdong History Museum. The cemetery is situated by a hillside lake, where commemorative buildings and the natural environment blend seamlessly. Among the green mountains and waters are monuments, pavilions, bridges, and terraces, while the red-flower-covered slopes are crisscrossed with secluded stone paths. The entire cemetery is picturesque.

Guangzhou Uprising Martyrs' Cemetery was selected twice, in 1963 and 1986, as one of the “Eight Scenic Spots of Yangcheng” for its “Red Mound and Morning Sun.” It hosts events such as chrysanthemum exhibitions, Spring Festival flower markets, and lantern festivals annually, and is both a Guangdong Provincial Key Cultural Relics Protection Unit and a National Key Martyrs' Memorial Building Protection Unit.

The entire cemetery is filled with birdsong and floral scents, shaded by green trees, with small bridges and flowing water arranged in a charming layout, attracting a large number of visitors even on regular days. During holidays, especially around Qingming Festival, many young people visit to pay respects and receive revolutionary tradition education. At dawn, when the red sun rises slowly behind the tombs, the radiant glow spills over, and the green grass shimmers with golden light, as if the spirits of the martyrs are protecting this land. “Red Mound and Morning Sun” has been listed as one of the new Eight Scenic Spots of Yangcheng.

To the east of the monument is the circular, domed martyrs' tomb. The tomb mound has a diameter of 43 meters and a height of 6.2 meters, covered with green grass.

The China-Korea People's Friendship Pavilion: The iron wiregrass planted here is highly resilient, symbolizing the revolutionary spirit of the martyrs, “wildfire cannot burn it all, spring breeze blows and life revives.” The tomb mound is surrounded by a wall made of granite. The wall is inlaid with over 40 white marble railings, each topped with a stone lion smiling joyfully toward the sky. On the front of the tomb mound, a large bluestone slab is inscribed with eight large characters, “Tomb of the Guangzhou Commune Martyrs,” handwritten by Zhu De, serving as the main memorial tablet. On December 11, 1987, the Guangzhou Municipal People's Government inscribed the “Guangzhou Uprising Monument Inscription” on the wall to the east of the tomb mound.

To the east of the cemetery stands an octagonal lakeside pavilion, hanging a plaque inscribed with “Blood Sacrifice to Xuanyuan,” written by Dong Biwu. This pavilion was built to commemorate Chen Tianguo and Zhou Wenyong, two martyrs who were captured and executed after the Guangzhou Uprising, holding their wedding ceremony on the execution ground. To the east of the lakeside pavilion are two larger memorial pavilions.

China-Soviet People's Friendship Pavilion: One pavilion commemorates 150 Korean comrades who sacrificed their lives for the Chinese people during the Guangzhou Uprising; the other commemorates the Soviet deputy consul in Guangzhou and consulate staff who were killed for participating in the Guangzhou Uprising.

Architectural Features: The park area features typical Lingnan-style garden landscapes, with shimmering lakes, shaded green trees, winding paths, birdsong, and floral scents.

Guangzhou Uprising Martyrs' Cemetery

Guangzhou Uprising Martyrs' Cemetery: Nestled among lush trees and clear waters are uniquely designed memorial pavilions: the “Blood Sacrifice to Xuanyuan Pavilion,” built to commemorate Zhou Wenyong and Chen Tianguo, who held their “wedding on the execution ground,” bears an inscription by Comrade Dong Biwu; the “China-Soviet People's Friendship Pavilion” and “China-Korea People's Friendship Pavilion” commemorate the Korean and Soviet martyrs who died during the Guangzhou Uprising.

The cemetery aims to build an ecological park and continues to enhance environmental management and beautification. The Flower Exhibition Hall, built in 1992, covers an area of 1,000 square meters and frequently hosts various flower shows, potted plant exhibitions, photography, and art exhibitions, integrating art, science education, and sightseeing. The new attraction “Zhiqu Garden,” completed in 2003, covers an area of 3,000 square meters. Its landscaping combines classical and modern, Chinese and Western styles, featuring elements such as a word-guessing wall and funhouse mirrors, providing a great environment for ecological and science education for young people. The cemetery also leverages its unique features to create the “Four Seasons of Blooming Flowers” brand, enhancing the landscape and cultural richness. Different flowers with distinct characteristics are introduced in various seasons, ensuring blooms from spring to winter, such as winter sweet in winter, azaleas and dragon boat flowers in spring, lotus flowers in summer, and Bauhinia in autumn, adding beauty and vitality to this historic and heroic park.

Admission: Free

Opening Hours: 6:00–21:00

Best Travel Season: October–December

Address: No. 92 Zhongshan 2nd Road, Yuexiu District, Guangzhou

Type: Cemetery/Graveyard

Rating: AAAA

Recommended Visiting Time: 2–3 hours

Phone: 020-83828521

Address: No. 92 Zhongshan 2nd Road

Huang Juren (1904–1928), from Qiaotou in Shikeng, Longchuan County. Orphaned at a young age, he was raised by his mother. He received only a few years of schooling in his childhood. Due to his family’s poverty, he worked in the fields and herded cattle from the age of ten before becoming an apprentice at a cloth factory in Foshan. In 1922 (the 11th year of the Republic of China), he was admitted to the Dyeing and Weaving program at the First Provincial Advanced Industrial School of Guangdong. By then, Marxism-Leninism had been widely disseminated in Guangzhou, and he was influenced by revolutionary ideas. In the summer of 1923, he joined the “New Students’ Society.” That winter, he also became a member of the Chinese Socialist Youth League, actively engaging in activities with Zhou Wenyong and others... More details about Huang Juren ++

Lu Gengfu (1906–1932), also known as Gengfu, was from Xuyong County, Sichuan Province. During his childhood, he attended private school and elementary school in Xuyong City before transferring to Yongning Middle School. He dropped out midway due to family poverty. With the support of his uncle, Lu Junyuan, he went to the affiliated high school of Chengdu Higher Normal School in 1922 (the 11th year of the Republic of China). Influenced by the thoughts of Principal Wu Yuzhang and teacher Yun Daiying, he joined the Chinese Socialist Youth League in 1923. In 1924, together with Zhang Ziyu, a key member of the “Academic and Moral Advancement Association,” he founded the Red Tide Weekly to promote revolutionary ideals. He joined the Chinese Communist Party in 1925 and... More details about Lu Gengfu ++

Sha Wenqiu (1904–1928), also known as Zhongji or Duaji, used the alias Shi Yong. He was from Sha Village (now part of Tangxi Township), Daxian Township, Yinxian County, Ningbo (present-day Yinzhou District), and the younger brother of Sha Menghai. As a child, he attended Sha Village Primary School. In the autumn of 1917, with his elder brother’s financial support, he entered Ningbo Xiaoshi Middle School. He had a fondness for literature and history and enjoyed martial arts. Sha Wenqiu was an outstanding early member of the Chinese Communist Party and a renowned martyr who sacrificed his life after the Guangzhou Uprising at the young age of 24.

Sha Wenqiu had a strong personality, valued righteousness and bravery, and loved reading classics, history, and military texts. In children’s mock fights, he would not stop until he won. When attending the village primary school, he broke old habits of... More details about Sha Wenqiu ++

Ji Bugao (1906–1929), also known as Dalun or Bugao, was from Longquan County, Zhejiang Province. He was born into a small merchant family. In 1920 (the 9th year of the Republic of China), he studied at the Zhejiang Tenth Normal School before transferring to the Hangzhou Political and Legal Specialized School. Due to financial difficulties, he dropped out midway. Ji Bugao was deeply dissatisfied with the corrupt government at the time and was determined to “save the nation from its decline and reform the depraved social customs!”

In 1923, Ji Bugao was admitted to Shanghai University, a progressive institution under the influence of the Chinese Communist Party. There, he was exposed to revolutionary ideas. In the spring of 1925, ... More details about Ji Bugao ++

Zhang Tailei, born in June 1898 in Wujin, Jiangsu Province. In 1915, he was admitted to Peking University and transferred to the Law Department of Peiyang University (now Tianjin University) in Tianjin that winter. When the May Fourth Movement broke out in 1919, Zhang Tailei actively participated and became one of its leading figures in the Tianjin area. He joined the speech group organized by students of Peiyang University, frequently giving lectures in Tianjin and nearby towns and villages to expose the crimes of the reactionary government in selling out Shandong’s sovereignty. During the struggle, Zhang Tailei established contact with Li Dazhao, whom he had long admired, and also connected with Zhou Enlai, the leader of the Tianjin movement... More details about Zhang Tailei ++

Li Yaoxian (1904–1928), also known as Wen’gong, was from Xintu Village, Huizhai, in his native county. In 1919, he was admitted to the Provincial No. 1 Middle School (Guangya Middle School) with outstanding results. He extensively read progressive publications such as New Youth, Weekly Review, New Tide, China New Daily, and Guangdong Qun Bao, which were edited by Chen Duxiu, Li Dazhao, and others, and was initially exposed to Marxism-Leninism. In June 1923, he joined the Guangdong New Students’ Society, organized by Ruan Xiaoxian, the secretary of the Guangdong District Committee of the Youth League, and became a key member. In the autumn and winter of that year, Li Yaoxian joined the Chinese Social... More details about Li Yaoxian ++

Chen Tiejun (1904–1928), female, originally named Xiejun, was from Xinning (now Taishan), born in Foshan Town, Nanhai, into a family of overseas Chinese merchants. In 1919 (the 8th year of the Republic of China), influenced by the anti-imperialist and anti-feudal progressive ideas of the May Fourth Movement, she distributed leaflets advocating gender equality and democracy and science. In 1920, she transferred to Foshan Jihua Girls’ Primary School, which adopted a new educational system. After graduation, she broke free from feudal marriage constraints and went to Guangzhou in search of revolutionary truth.

After arriving in Guangzhou, she enrolled at Kunwei Girls’ Middle School in Xiguan (now the city’s No. 29 Middle School)... More details about Chen Tiejun ++

Zhou Wenyong, nickname Guanghong, was from Fenghuangli, Xiadong, Baihe, Kaiping County. Born in August 1905 into a poor family of a private tutor. Zhou Wenyong was one of the outstanding leaders of the Guangzhou workers’ movement. He served as a member of the Guangdong Provincial Committee of the Chinese Communist Party and the Guangzhou Municipal Committee of the Chinese Communist Party, and was one of the main leaders of the Guangzhou Uprising.

At the age of seven, he studied at a private school with his father. After the Xinhai Revolution, a modern primary school was established in Hengshi Township, where he enrolled. Within two years, he completed the four-year curriculum of the lower primary school and advanced to the upper primary school. Due to family hardships, he could not afford to continue his education. After one semester... More details about Zhou Wenyong ++

You Xi, originally named You Chuanyu, was born on March 26, 1908, in Dayanggou by the Jialing River in Banan County, Sichuan Province. She spent a difficult childhood under the care of her mother, Madam Wu. In 1922, she was admitted to the Sichuan Provincial Second Girls’ Normal School (commonly referred to as Chongqing Girls’ No. 2 Normal School).

At school, You Chuanyu often listened to speeches by the Communist Party member Teacher Xiao Chunu, who promoted Marxism and criticized nationalism. She also read extensively Xiao Chunu’s articles in the New Sichuan Daily, which criticized warlords and imperialism. These experiences greatly inspired her thinking. Xiao Chunu frequently introduced her to publications such as Guide and China... More details about You Xi ++

Dongping Community: Dongping Community... More details about Dongping Community ++

Further Reading:

· The First Batch of Guangdong Provincial Cultural Relics Protection Units